The Crusades: A History (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780300101287)

"Pulls off the enviable feat of summing up seven centuries of religious warfare in a crisp 309 pages of text."--Dennis Drabelle, Washington Post Book World

In this authoritative work, Jonathan Riley-Smith provides the definitive account of the Crusades: an account of the theology of violence behind the Crusades, the major Crusades, the experience of crusading, and the crusaders themselves. With a wealth of fascinating detail, Riley-Smith brings to life these stirring expeditions to the Holy Land and the politics and personalities behind them. This new edition includes revisions throughout as well as a new Preface and Afterword in which Jonathan Riley-Smith surveys recent developments in the field and examines responses to the Crusades in different periods, from the Romantics to the Islamic world today.

From reviews of the first edition:

"Everything is here: the crusades to the Holy Land, and against the Albigensians, the Moors, the pagans in Eastern Europe, the Turks, and the enemies of the popes. Riley-Smith writes a beautiful, lucid prose, . . . and his book] is packed with facts and action."--Choice

"A concise, clearly written synthesis . . . by one of the leading historians of the crusading movement. "--Robert S. Gottfried, Historian

"A lively and flowing narrative with] an enormous cast of characters that is not a mere catalog but a history. . . . A remarkable achievement."--Thomas E. Morrissey, Church History

"Superb."--Reuven S. Avi-Yonah, Speculum

"A first-rate one-volume survey of the Crusading movement from 1074 . . . to 1798."--Southwest Catholic

Author: Jonathan Riley-Smith
ISBN-10: 0300101287
ISBN-13: 9780300101287
Publisher: Yale University Press
Language: English
Published: 06/11/2005
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.86lbs
Size: 7.76h x 5.03w x 1.04d

Review Citation(s):
Univ PR Books for Public Libry 01/01/2006 pg. 1 - Strongly Recommended